Keynote Speakers Announced for ASCD's 2014 Annual Conference and Exhibit Show

Alexandria, VA (9/11/13)—ASCD announced today the keynote speakers for the 69th ASCD Annual Conference and Exhibit Show, held in Los Angeles, Calif., March 15–17, 2014. The conference will showcase ideas and best-practice strategies that are driving student achievement and will unlock ways to boost teacher and leadership effectiveness. Attendees will choose from more than 350 sessions that will enable them to prepare our world's learners to be creative, critically minded, and compassionate citizens.

"Each year, ASCD holds our Annual Conference and Exhibit Show to bring together educators from around the globe to share, network, learn, and improve their practice in this must-attend educational event," said Dr. Gene Carter, CEO and Executive Director of ASCD. "This year's Annual Conference and Exhibit Show in sunny Los Angeles will be no exception, and we look forward to presenting educators with innovative solutions to promote the success of each child."

ASCD listened to feedback from attendees, and this year at the 2014 Annual Conference and Exhibit Show some popular sessions will be repeated, giving attendees more opportunities to customize their conference planning. In addition, the conference team added 45- and 60-minute sessions, so attendees have more choices for how to allot their time. Finally, sessions offerings have been extended, with sessions geared specifically toward superintendents and those in higher education, as well as a third general session.

Daniel H. Pink: Leadership and the New Principles of InfluenceFirst General Session, Saturday, March 15, 10:00–11:45 a.m.
Drawing on a rich trove of social science and cutting-edge practices from organizations around the world, Daniel H. Pink will demonstrate the new ways leaders are persuading, influencing, and motivating others. He will show the power of underused techniques—such as perspective-taking, problem-finding, and using purpose as a motivator—and offer concrete steps to put these ideas into action. Pink is the author of five provocative books, including the long-running New York Times bestsellers A Whole New Mind and Drive. His latest book, To Sell is Human, is a #1 New York Times business bestseller, a #1 Wall Street Journal business bestseller, and a #1 Washington Post nonfiction bestseller.

Sir Ken Robinson: The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes EverythingSecond General Session, Saturday, March 15, 5:00–6:30 p.m.
Based on his newly released and highly acclaimed book, The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything, Robinson takes audiences on a compelling tour of what can happen in all our lives when passion and talent meet. He draws on the personal stories of high achievers in many fields, including Sir Paul McCartney, Arianna Huffington, Matt Groening (creator of The Simpsons), Meg Ryan and renowned physicist Richard Feynman.

Russell J. Quaglia: Moving Forward with Our Greatest Resource: The StudentsThird General Session, Sunday, March 16, 10:00-11:45 a.m.
Quaglia, the president and founder of the Quaglia Institute for Student Aspirations, will share his groundbreaking work regarding student aspirations and the importance and power of student voice. He will discuss data he has collected from over 1 million students and the importance that data has on each and every one of us. His presentation will have implications regarding how we interact with one another, how schools are organized, and how we assess the teaching and learning environment. His fundamental belief is that we can and must learn from students, and that all our hopes and dreams for the students we serve are within our reach now.

To register for the 2014 Annual Conference and Exhibit Show, visit the conference website, www.ascd.org/annualconference. The early-bird registration rate is available through January 15, 2014, and is $259 for ASCD members and $325 for nonmembers. Attendees who register for the full conference at the nonmember rate will automatically receive a free, one-year Select Online membership to continue their learning long after the conference is over. Learn more ways to save on registration fees by visiting the registration page on the Annual Conference and Exhibit Show website.